Fresh Faces: UFC 123 edition

For every UFC event, TapouTVTC.com introduces you to the fighters making their UFC debuts.


Name: Maiquel Falcao

Weight class: Middleweight

Fighting: Gerald Harris

Record: 25-3 (1 NC) (21 (T)KOs, 3 submissions) for various Brazilian promotions

Recent body of work: Scored a first-round TKO victory over Wendres Carlos da Silva at "Arena Gold Fights 2) in July

Who he is: Fighting out of the Chute Boxe camp, Falcao has only seen one fight go to decision in his career, a span that has lasted 26 fights and six years. The Brazilian is currently riding a seven-fight win streak, with all of those fights ending in the first round.

Name: Edson Barboza

Weight class: Lightweight

Fighting: Mike Lullo

Record: 6-0 (5 (T)KOs, 1 submission) for various promotions in Florida, Louisiana and New Jersey

Recent body of work: TKO'd Marcelo Guidici with kicks to win the Ring of Combat lightweight title in June.

Who he is: A Muay Thai black belt with 28 professional kickboxing fights, Barboza has seamlessly made the transition into MMA. Only one of Barboza's six MMA fights have lasted past the first round.

Name: Mike Lullo

Weight class: Lightweight

Fighting: Edson Barboza

Record: 8-1 (1 (T)KO, 6 submissions) for various U.S. promotions

Recent body of work: Submitted Tyler Combs by armbar at "Chicago Cagefighting Championship" in October

Who he is: Lullo steps in as an injury replacement after Barboza's original opponent, Darren Elkins was forced to withdraw with a knee injury. Based out of the Midwest Training Center in Illinois, Lullo has won eight straight fights since losing his professional debut back in 2008.

Name: T.J. O'Brien

Weight class: Lightweight

Fighting: Paul Kelly

Record: 16-3 (15 submissions) for various U.S. promotions

Recent body of work: Defeated Josh Henry by rear-naked choke at "Midwest Cage Championships 29" in October

Who he is: O'Brien will get a second shot at the UFC after getting knocked out in the elimination round of "The Ultimate Fighter 12" by Team Koscheck first-round pick Marc Stevens. An injury to Gabe Ruediger opened the door to O'Brien, who has won his last six fights and 11 overall by triangle choke.